Blake Farenthold won't seek re-election amid harassment claims

U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold announced he won't seek re-election, less than a week after a House committee opened an investigation into sexual harassment claims from a former aide.

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The four-term Corpus Christi Republican, whose district includes portions of Bastrop and Caldwell counties, faced pressure to resign from House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, according to the Washington Examiner.

Stories this week in The New York Times and CNN revealed new allegations of abusive behavior and lewd comments in Farenthold's Washington office.

Texas Democrats called on Farenthold to step down immediately.

"Blake Farenthold should immediately leave office for his vile behavior, a PR stunt to not run for reelection is simply not enough," Texas Democratic Party Executive Director Crystal K. Perkins said in a statement.

"Republican Blake Farenthold has no business holding public office. The fact is, Farenthold has violated the public trust and shown a pattern of demeaning, degrading, and disrespectful conduct towards women."

Cox Media Group